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The
80-minute London 2012 show created by film director Danny Boyle was
hugely popular in Britain. It included a rare and unexpected acting role
by Queen Elizabeth II alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig.

Their
filmed scene concluded with a parachute jump from a helicopter by
stuntmen dressed as the pair, who landed in the Olympic Stadium.

Princess Anne said opening ceremonies were important to remind that athletes ‘are committing themselves to the Olympic ideal.’

Princess Anne, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee, was seen greeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, IOC President Thomas Bach, second from right, and Sochi 2014 Olympics President Dmitry Chernyshenko, left, in Sochi yesterday

Game face: Russian President Vladimir Putin walks next to Russian pole vault champion and Olympic village mayor Elena Isinbayeva and Russian Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth policy Vitaly Mutko at the Olympic village in Sochi

Welcome to the games: View of the Olympic Park as preparations for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games take place

Bright promises: Olympic cauldron is lit up at night in the coastal cluster Olympic Park ahead of Sochi 2014

Her comments came during wide-ranging debates among 100-plus IOC members about future organization and running of the Olympics.

‘I
think you can inform the royal family there will be no more
parachuting,’ IOC President Thomas Bach quipped in response to the
princess.

A previous
speaker, Alex Gilady of Israel, said changing the procedure of the
opening ceremony would be ‘a strong step in the wrong direction.’

‘The opening ceremony is for the world to be introduced to the athletes,’ Gilady said.

Another
British IOC member, elected by athletes, said the opening ceremony was a
‘wonderful show,’ though many did not experience it fully while waiting
to begin their parade into the main arena.

‘I
think it is something athletes should have a chance to see properly,’
said Adam Pengilly, a former skeleton racer who competed at the past two
Winter Games.

Royal landing: The famous moment during the London 2012 opening ceremony when 'the Queen' and 'James Bond' parachuted into the stadium

Princess Anne's mother Queen Elizabeth was happy to take part in the opening ceremony in London 2012 - despite her daughter's opinion

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Princess Anne says athletes are now just an 'add on' at Olympic opening ceremonies